Look, everyone knows this show was bonkers and, even after running more than 1,000 performances, was possibly the biggest money loser in Broadway's history. It'd be easy to just rag on "Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark" -- and it certainly deserves to be made fun of -- but I wanted to talk a little bit more about why it failed and also, what little sparks of goodness it might have sparked in its wake.

For that kind of conversation, I couldn't bring in an expert -- few people I know saw this show. So I take on the task myself since I did see it and still have vivid memories of the experience. This will be a different kind of "Chasing Phantom" episode but one I think (hope) you'll enjoy.

Read more about "Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark" and Broadway's other longest running shows at ChasingPhantom.net.

Marrying slices of Shakespeare with perhaps Cole Porter's finest score, "Kiss Me Kate" is one of the ultimate old Broadway hits. Fashioned as a response to "Oklahoma" and built with sturdy story beats that have allowed it to be revived as recently as 3 years ago, "Kate" has lore and legend to explicate for days.

So OF COURSE we had to bring back in Phil Crosby, Executive Director of Richmond Triangle Players, for another chat. Not only does Phil have plenty to say about "Kate," he adds related background on why the Barter Theatre is called that and what motivated certain casting choices, while also confirming a rumor related to Broadway star Alfred Drake based on his own experience working with him.

Read more about "Kiss Me Kate" and check out related videos at ChasingPhantom.net.

"It transformed my life." That's the kind of statement you want from someone talking about a cultural experience. "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" broke all sorts of barriers on Broadway in 1972 but it is not well known today. Even so, its impact is felt in the people it influenced like my guest, Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, or as she is affectionately known as, Dr. T.

The celebrated playwright, actor, director, and activist saw "Don't Bother Me" when she was in high school and it was a foundational experience, setting her on the path she's followed in her career. Even if you don't know this show, you'll want to listen to Dr. T talk about how she came to it and what she took away from it.

Find out more about "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" at ChasingPhantom.net and check out the other podcasts in the TimberTodd Pods family at timbertoddpods.com.

For better or worse, the song "Freedom" is one of the most persistent earworms around but what do we think about the show that spawned such a tenacious tune? "Shenandoah" used to be a regional favorite but hardly ever gets produced these days, despite family-friendly themes, an even balance of comedy and tragedy, and a generally tuneful score.

Tom Width, esteemed producing artistic director at Swift Creek Mill Theatre in Colonial Heights has acted in the show and directed it so knows both its history and its appeal. Our conversation not only parses "Shenandoah" but provides insight into the behind-the-scenes  dynamics in producing such a show and why it might not be the first choice for revival these days.

Find out more about "Shenandoah" at ChasingPhantom.net and check out the other podcasts in the TimberTodd Pods family at timbertoddpods.com.

Watch out -- it's the 50s! The romantic dynamics, not to mention the workplace politics and the capitalistic shenanigans, might seem like artifacts from ancient history in the plucky musical, "The Pajama Game." The show jump-started careers left and right, from folks like Bob Fosse and Shirley MacLaine, to more theater insider famous people like Hal Prince. It also enchanted many a theater-goer with its central love story between too hard-chargers, Babe and Sid, whose professional conflicts threaten their budding relationship.

Luckily, Phil Crosby is back to help my parse it all. Plus he relates truly fascinating anecdotes from his first-hand experience working with John Raitt (Bonnie's father) and Mister George Abbott.

Hm, come to think of it, the capitalistic shenanigans seem pretty darn modern so that, in addition to a damn fine score, makes "The Pajama Game" worthy of a look and definitely makes this conversation worth a listen.

Find out more about "The Pajama Game" at ChasingPhantom.net and check out the other podcasts in the TimberTodd Pods family at timbertoddpods.com.

It's a show that you wish was just about the songs -- "There's No Business Like Show Business," "I've Got the Sun in the Morning," etc. -- but, for better or worse, it's set in a time (late 19th century) and place (the Wild West, still somewhat populated by Native Americans), that requires contextualization. The 1999 revival tried and also brought in blockbuster star, Bernadette Peters, to add star power. Ironically, Reba McEntire ended up being the breakout personality when she took over the role.

I talk through all of this with the delightful Robyn O'Neill who starred in a 2005 production of the show that was modeled in part after the 1999 revival. Learn about Robyn's past as a stalker, how her production picked and chose which aspects of the show to use, and about a special someone she started dating during the production's run.

Find out more about "Annie Get Your Gun (1999 revival)" at ChasingPhantom.net and check out the other podcasts in the TimberTodd Pods family at timbertoddpods.com.

Hey there, Chasing Phantom phans! We're taking a little break this week from chasing after all that theater-related historical yumminess in order to introduce you to a brand spanking new podcast, Didn't Read It! Grace Todd, our podcast partner for Convince Me I Care, has embarked on this new adventure and we're very excited to get her expert's perspective on books you should have read but haven't.

Come back in two weeks for more phantastic Phantom phun!

Welcome back to the wacky 1950s! It may be a little mind-boggling that a show so prominently featuring an actor in yellowface ran longer on Broadway than beloved classics like "Grand Hotel" and "Damn Yankees!" But the 50s were an ... "interesting" ... time and, for all its downsides, this is a show that had some surprisingly progressive elements.

The movie version starred none other than Marlon Brando which necessitated bringing back my buffest of movie buff friends, Dr. Jesse Rabinowitz, to dig into this fascinating history. And our old friend from (yikes) "Never Too Late," Paul Ford, also makes a jump-scare appearance.

Find out more about "The Teahouse of the August Moon" at ChasingPhantom.net and check out the other podcasts in the TimberTodd Pods family at timbertoddpods.com. 

The first revival on the list also happens to be my personal favorite show of all time. In honor of the occasion, I have invited a panel of Les Mis experts to talk about the differences between the stage production and the movie, how perceptions of Les Miserables can change over a fan's life, and how children take in (or don't) the complex moral framework of the show.

This is a panel of experts unlike any other including an occupational therapist, a doctor, and a social worker. You want a range of perspective? You've got it!

Find out more about "Les Miserables (2014 revival)" at ChasingPhantom.net and check out the other podcasts in the TimberTodd Pods family at timbertoddpods.com. 

In honor of Independence Day, we talk about a show that is as All-American as apple pie, featuring America's favorite pastime: selling your soul to the devil. No, no, no -- I mean, baseball!

Through the magic of Zoom, the amazing and talented actress, director and producer Dawn Westbrook joins the pod to talk about bringing Lola to life, a role that some folks still remember her for.

Find out more about "Damn Yankees" at ChasingPhantom.net and check out the other podcasts in the TimberTodd Pods family at timbertoddpods.com.